Interchangeable tape cutter

Abstract

The present invention provides a tape cutting tool having a body portion and one forward cutting edge. In one embodiment, resilient lateral sides of the body portion engage the outer sidewalls of a spool-less roll of tape; in a second embodiment the resilient lateral sides engage the inner sidewalls of a spool holding the tape; and in a third embodiment the lateral sides engage the outer sidewalls of a spool holding the tape. The tool is slideable along the periphery of the roll of tape or the spool holding the tape, and the forward cutting edge is employed to sever predetermined lengths of tape from the roll. In all embodiments, the tool is designed so that the leading edge of tape remaining on the tape roll, after a length of tape has been severed, is maintained apart from the tape roll to provide easy access to the leading edge when the next piece of tape is to be cut from the roll, and the tape is severed at an optimum angle relative to the cutting edge.

I claim: 
     
       1. A cutter device for rolled tape on a spool having two opposed spool rims for carrying a roll of tape wound on a core within opposed inner sidewalls of said opposed spool rims, said cutter device comprising: a body portion having a lower surface adapted to slideably move along the periphery of a roll of tape wound on said core within said opposed inner sidewalls of said spool rims,   said lower surface being contoured upwardly in a direction towards a front end of said body portion to define a recessed space between said front end and the outer circumference of said roll of tape when said body portion is mounted on said roll of tape,   a cutting edge on said front end, and   a pair of opposed resilient side members, each of which extends laterally from opposed sides of said body portion for exerting a biasing force outwardly against the inner surfaces of said opposed rims of said tape spool to maintain said cutter device removably mounted to said roll of tape within said opposed spool rims.   
     
     
       2. The device of claim 1 wherein said contour of said lower surface is designed so that a leading edge of tape will be raised from said roll of tape after a piece of tape is severed from said roll of tape. 
     
     
       3. The device of claim 1 wherein the dimensions of said body are selected so that said cutter device is accommodated within a storage encasement for said tape spool mounted over said opposed rims such that said cutter device is adapted to being stored on said roll of tape and within said tape spool and said storage encasement. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim 1 wherein said cutting edge projects at an angle to facilitate cutting of tape from said roll of tape.